Gainesville/Haymarket Area Youth Ice Hockey (Woodbridge, Washington: insurance, house, neighborhood)

[MikeFromJersey]

I am new to the PWC area and would like to get my son involved in a youth ice hockey program in the winter. I know the Ashburn Ice House has a program, but it's almost 40 minutes away with no traffic. And, I heard the Prince William Ice Center collapsed last winter and they're still dealing with insurance issues. Does anybody here who lives in the Gainesville area have their kids involved in a youth hockey program? I'd appreciate any advice and/or suggestions. (And, moving back to Jersey isn't an option!)







*The poll question above should have read, "Are you in favor of having an Ice Rink (similar to the Ashburn Ice House) in the Gainesville/Haymarket area?"

[MrsEvie64]

We're moving from Ashburn where my son played hockey. I actually just talked to the director of hockey at Ashburn (he saw that my son hadn't registered yet) and he said PW's considering putting up a temporary rink in Haymarket and the new PW rink should be up and running by spring, hopefully. I asked him if a lot of the kids from Gainesville area were signing up at Ashburn, and he said a few, but not many, so I think a lot of kids are missing out this season.

It's really unfortunate that we're gonna miss a season of hockey, but I can't deal with driving out there for practice during rush hour on 66 and then 7-8am games on Sunday morning with 2 other kids. So he's trying baseball for the first time since playing hockey the past 2-3 years (my son will be 7 in October).

[fft12]

It is official, the Prince William Hockey Club is installing a temporary rink in the old 84 Lumber Warehouse on Washington St.... There is a public hearing on Tuesday August 10 at 7pm. We need residents to come out and support the rink! Visit either PWHockey.com and /or the facebook page:
[url=//www.facebook.com/pages/Prince-William-Hockey-Club/137590782941847?ref=search]Prince William Hockey Club | Facebook[/url] for more info......

[MikeFromJersey]

When I started this thread a few days ago, I had no idea about Prince William Hockey Club's plan to build a "temporary" rink in Haymarket. I went to the PW Hockey Club website and Facebook page to find out more info. It appears to me that the ONLY reason the rink will be put together in the old 84 Lumber building is so that the PWHC can have a place to play for the 2010-11 hockey season. Once the PW Ice Center is rebuilt in Woodbridge, the team will move to the new facility. My issue is, what is it really doing for the town of Haymarket, it's residents, and nearby communities, like Gainesville? It's not going to be a fully operational rink with open skating, lessons, etc. The lumber yard will be used solely for the PWHC. To me, it's just another business setting up shop for the time being, only to get out of dodge when something better comes along. I don't think I could support something like that.

[HockeyMominVA]

My children play for PWHC and I am currently on the PWHC Board. As a hockey parent, I am glad that PWHC has decided to build the temporary rink in Haymarket. There are many positives resulting from the Club coming to the area, whether it is temporary or not. The local business will certainly reap the benefits. Have you noticed how hungry a youth hockey team is after a game? Also, PWHC will be opening up House (rec-level) hockey registration - that will surely benefit many local children who have an interest in learning/playing hockey (and will be able to do so 5-10 minutes away). In addition, PWHC plans to offer "Try Hockey Free" weekends, supplying gear and coaches so interested children can get a feel for what it's like to be on the ice and sink a puck in the net for the first time.

I'm sure we could all agree that it would be nice if the rink was able to open as a public skate/birthday party/skating lessons type of venue. That just wasn't feasible in the timeframe the Club had to work with. Of course, who knows what the future holds...

Ultimately, what will become of the temporary rink (and PWHC skating there) after the season remains to be seen. However, several independent parties have shown a strong interest in keeping a rink there -- time will tell.

After the unfortunate collapse of our home rink, I'm confident that the families of the PWHC youth hockey players will be thrilled to the opportunity to play in Haymarket and would love to have new players from the area join them on the ice.

Mike, best wishes in your search for a hockey home for your son. Perhaps we'll run into you at the LumberYard :-)


(signed, HockeyMominVA, another local parent who moved here from NJ)

[smspaulding]

We live in Haymarket and play at Ashburn. Bringing this type of facility to Haymarket is a plus for the community. All you have to do is spend some time in Dominion Valley and count the number of nets and kids on "blades" the demand for such a facility in our area is evident. Hockey getting a foothold here in this part of the County is a win for everyone, not to mention the other ice sports that this or a future new facility could bring to the Haymarket/Gainesville.

[MikeFromJersey]

I don't intend to bore you with my story, so I'll keep it very short:

My interest in hockey started when the New Jersey Devils moved to the good ol' Garden State in 1982. My older brothers never played hockey until then, but they bought a net, some balls and sticks, and even goalie equipment for me (although I believe their real intent was to take slaps shots at my head).

We must have played in front of the house everyday for at least a month. Then all of a sudden, other kids on our block came over to play. Before long, we were able to play 3 on 3 in front of the house. And slowly, more and more kids in the neighborhood chose hockey over other sports.

And that, folks, is how it begins.

I hear all the time that Virginia is not a hockey state. Well, back when I was growing up, New Jersey wasn't either. But, if you were to walk inside the Prudential Center in Newark and look at all of the high school hockey jerseys hanging up there, you'd be crazy not to realize how big hockey has become.

And it can happen here as well, if only we'd allow for it. We are the ones who ultimately determine whether or not youth hockey survives in Northern Virginia.

I encourage everybody who has an interest in youth hockey in PWC to get involved. Together, we can make it happen. (OK, I know that last part was cheesy).

[HaymarketHockey]

The rink is approved and being built, with a opening date around 1 OCT.

[SIZE=3]Hockey In Haymarket![/SIZE]
[SIZE=3]Prince William Hockey Club House Registration is NOW OPEN Registration is open for PWHC's House Program. For this season, all ice times will be at our new ice rink -- the Lumberyard in Haymarket, VA.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=3]We are accepting registration for all ages from Mini-Mites through Midgets. Previous skating experience required for the House Program.[/SIZE]
http://www.pwhockey.com/

[ladycoach]

I am a resident of Gainesville and we are a hockey family. My son, now 22 has played hockey for 17 years. I also play. I would love to have my daughter play, but there has never been a rink close enough for her to be able to handle school and getting to practice. I commend the PW ice hockey club for being so committed to the great game of hockey and to all of their youth hockey players to find a place for them to play this year. I fully support the rink in Haymarket, even if it is only temporary. Hockey is the greatest game on earth. You never know what may come out of the rink. Maybe the county will see the huge interest in the Gainesville/Haymarket area and find a way to do something more permanent. If I had the money I would build it myself.

[HEATHER72]

Am I reading Prince William Hockey Club correctly? Registration for a mini mite aka 5 year old is $550???